Energy Act (The)

The Energy Act (2011) is the central pillar of the Coalition’s programme relating to energy and climate change. It focuses on improving the energy efficiency of buildings and includes three major elements in the Green Deal, Energy Company Obligation and Private Rented Sector regulation. The Act makes it unlawful to let premises that do not meet minimum energy efficiency standards from April 2018 (set as a minimum EPC rating of E), thereby making it unlawful for landlords to rent buildings with an F or G EPC rating until certain energy efficiency improvements are made. While the energy efficiency improvements required by the Act, exceptions to the rule and links to the Green Deal are yet to be confirmed, the direction of travel has been clearly defined.